Disaster Management Specialist At Asian Disaster Preparedness Center

This consultant position is open for Indian Nationals only. The position is based in Patna, Bihar State of India.

Project: Program for Strengthening Preparedness for Emergency Response and Recovery in India (PROSPER-India)

Title: Disaster Management Specialist (Consultant)

About Asian Disaster Preparedness Center:

Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) is an autonomous international organization with a vision to reduce disaster and climate risk impacts on communities and countries in Asia and the Pacific by working with governments, development partners, international organizations, NGOs, civil society, private sector, media, and other key stakeholders.

Established in 1986 as a technical capacity building center, ADPC has grown and diversified its expertise across social and physical sciences to support sustainable solutions for risk reduction across a broad range of specialist areas. With over 100 staff from 19 different nationalities and a wide range of professional expertise with experiences from all levels of engagement typically required for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Resilience (CR) in an effective manner. ADPC is a competent regional resource center and has seven thematic departments: Preparedness for Response and Recovery, Risk Governance, Climate Resilience, Urban Resilience, Health Risk Management, Geospatial Information, and ADPC Academy. These are supported by Finance, Human Resources and Administration, and Strategic Planning departments. ADPC works on three cross-cutting themes: Gender and Diversity, Poverty and Livelihoods, and Regional and Transboundary Cooperation through permanent working committees. ADPC recognizes the importance of examining the linkages between disaster risk management, poverty reduction, gender equality, sustainability, rights-based approaches, climate change and regional cooperation. ADPC, through its programs, support the implementation of national, regional and global frameworks including Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (SFDRR), the Paris Agreement for Climate Change, the New Urban Agenda, the recommendations and priorities of World Humanitarian Summit (WHS), etc.

For details please refer to ADPC website at http://www.adpc.net/.

Purpose and Objectives:

ADPC is currently implementing two programs, namely “Program for Strengthening Preparedness for Emergency Response and Recovery in India (PROSPER-India) and “COVID-19: PROSPER-India Program Support to Bihar Government (INCOV)” in Bihar, India with financial support from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

PROSPER-India is a three-year program focusing on providing technical support to the Government of Bihar in the implementation of DRR activities identified in the Bihar Disaster Risk Reduction Roadmap (2015-2030). The India COVID-19 Grant is being implemented to strengthen the emergency preparedness and response functions of the Government of Bihar for COVID-19. These efforts are primarily targeted at the Disaster Management Department (DMD), Department of Health (DoH), and Department of Agriculture, the Government of Bihar for strengthening Emergency Operations Centers, End-to-End Early Warning System, Risk Communication, Awareness-raising, and enhancing Knowledge Management including COVID-19 management.

ADPC is looking to recruit a qualified consultant as the Disaster Management Specialist to be based in Patna, Bihar State of India. The selected consultant will join a dynamic team of ADPC professionals based in India, while working closely with the ADPC Headquarters experts in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Disaster Management Specialist will be responsible for leading the implementation of identified activities in this SoW. The activities include the development of tools for implementation of Government guidelines by various stakeholders and support the process of strengthening Emergency Operation Centers (EOCs), End-to-end Early Warning System (EWS), capacity building and awareness raising in Bihar for various priority hazards through multiple channels.

Expected Outputs:

● Strategy document for upscaling of lightning EWS in the entire state;

● Develop/updated Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)/Protocols/guidelines for the EOCs;

● Orientation of State and District EOC (SEOC/DEOC) staff on EOCs functioning and EWS;

● Priority training modules and training roll-out program for the Disaster Management Department;

● Technical inputs to knowledge products and good practice documents;

● Technical and surge capacity support as required by DMD.

Responsibilities and Tasks:

● Support the process for strengthening EOC and End-to-end EWS in Bihar state;

● Conduct trainings/orientations for government staff on EOCs functioning and EWS;

● Work with the Disaster Management Department to implement pilot project on Lightning Early Warning System (EWS) and upscale in Bihar;

● Lead the development of technical tools, documentation, training modules, learning materials and training delivery;

● Coordinate regularly with program manager/s and other ADPC staff for implementing the project activities;

● Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Director, Preparedness for Response and Recovery Department and Program Lead.

Working Principles:

In performing the duties and responsibilities indicated above, the consultant will be supervised by the assigned Program Lead, under the overall guidance of the Director, Preparedness for Response and Recovery (PRR) Department of ADPC. The consultant will closely work with other Project/Program Managers, and Project Coordinator based in Bihar, India and Disaster Management Department, and Government partners in Bihar.

Qualifications and Experience:

● A Master Degree in Disaster Management, Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Natural Resource Management, Climate Risk Management or any other related fields is essential. A Ph.D. in a related field would be an added advantage.

● At least five years of proven experience in disaster and climate risk management program implementation, coordination, planning, and capacity building.

● Proven experience in disaster preparedness and emergency response management such as mainstreaming disaster risk management into the sectoral planning process, end-to-end early warning system development, emergency operation center management, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) development. Experience in Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System will be preferred.

● Proven ability to develop quality reports, manuals, guidelines, case studies, training modules, and training delivery, and ability to communicate technical matters effectively to a general audience.

● Familiarity and experience working with the National and State Governments in the field of Disaster Management/ Climate Resilience.

● Previous experience in working with Humanitarian NGOs or international organizations in similar programs.

● Knowledge of working ethics of National or State Government agencies, International NGOs, National NGOs, the private sector, and International Organizations would prove to be an added advantage.

Personal Qualities:

● Self-motivated, pro-active and takes initiatives;

● Demonstrated ability to plan, and organize work & time independently and proactively;

● Verbal and written communication skills in English and Hindi are essential;

● Excellent interpersonal skills, team-oriented work style, and experience in working in a multi-cultural environment;

● Strong networking capacity and understanding of development work at national and regional levels;

● Strong desire and enthusiasm to learn, undertake new challenges including working during COVID-19 outbreak, must be a creative problem-solver, and must have self-confidence;

● Committed to timely delivery of outputs and willing to work hard, good sense of humor but with seriousness about the quality and excellence of work.

Duty Station: Patna, Bihar State of India

Duration: Initially for 6 months from January – June 2022 with the possibility of extension based on the performance and technical requirement of the position

Itinerary: In case the official mission outside of the duty station is required, the consultant will be entitled to domestic flight, local travel, daily subsistence allowance, accommodation, and other related travel costs as per ADPC financial policy.